5 Tips for Pastoral Ministry Teams in Times of Crisis for Catholic Leaders

1. Pray

• Invite your team to pray on a regular basis as you come together for work purposes, whether online or by phone
• Ensure everyone’s participation to create a sense of belonging
• Pray for those directly impacted by COVID-19, healthcare and other essential workers, and those who have died

2. Provide Pastoral Care

• Encourage your team to continue their own spiritual practices
• Make sure to offer pastoral care to your team and to all those entrusted to your ministry and ask how someone is doing before entering into a work topic
• Invite team members to express what they might need from each other
• Invite team members to share and acknowledge what they may be afraid of losing as a result of the crisis
• Find small ways to connect with individuals on your team to affirm what they are doing particularly well during this time

3. Make Plans

• Step into your leadership role by setting a vision, rather than just reacting
• Ask yourself and your team, what can we achieve in our mission in light of these new circumstances?; what needs to start, stop, or continue?
• Implement your pastoral plans and evaluate them on a weekly or monthly basis in light of changing circumstances

4. Overcommunicate

• Ensure consistent communications with your team, weekly if not more frequently
• Provide accurate and honest information, whether positive or negative

5. Take Care of Yourself and Your Team

• Acknowledge that you cannot lead without first taking care of yourself
• Be mindful to schedule self-care moments in your daily routine
• Encourage your team to do the same, and to be a support to one another

Visit leadershiproundtable.org/covid for further resources or contact our program manager, Peter Denio, for customized support and solutions 201.739.2674 or peter@leadershiproundtable.org.